News & events

A joint online session titled “Supercharging the Workforce: How to Prepare for a Battery-Powered Future” was presented by Batteries Europe and BEPA as part of EUSEW, the European Sustainable Energy Week, on June 20. The 2023 edition of EUSEW, the largest European Policy Conference on Sustainable Energy, focused on accelerating the clean energy transition “towards lower bills and greater skills.” Both in-person and online events were held as part of the series.

To meet the goals of the EU Green Deal, electrification is essential. However, the shift to an electrified future will present a societal challenge because more than 800 000 Europeans will need to receive new training before 2025, and many more will do so after. This session outlined the progress made in the skills-building areas of the battery and automotive industries while also outlining the work that still needs to be done.

In the session, we heard from industry experts on how the European workforce can prepare for the future in battery-related jobs. Silvia Bodoardo (Battery2030+) introduced ways to attract and retain talent in Europe in both research and industry fields while Oana Penu (KIC InnoEnergy SE)discussed how to equip the global workforce to support a more sustainable economy. Christian Masquelier (Université de Picardie – Jules Vergne) spoke about the example of the DESTINY PHD program (Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND action) and its predecessors. In addition, Linda Arnold (VDI/VDE-IT) showcased the reskilling of the German workforce within the IPCEI programme while guarding diversity. Other speakers included Axel Thielmann (Batteries Europe), Jakub Stolfa (Automotive Skills Alliance), Matilda Axelson (DG GROW, EC) and Philippe Jacques (BEPA). Finally, the session concluded with a roundtable discussion and speakers answered the audience’s questions. The session gathered around 102 participants online and generated interest and engagement.

You can listen to what the experts had to say by watching the recording here.